09-09-2005, 01:08 PM
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Executive Editor, Android Thoughts
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,233
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Sabbatical update / HTC Universal Defense
Ah, time for a good old fashion thought post & poll. Lately with the news pouring in, we've been a bit scarce of these. Just me and my thoughts on this one - no link needed. I'm writing to update everyone on my so-far successful tech sabbatical, and why when I'm off of it, I'm planning on procuring a Universal.
First the sabbatical. Not much has happened in the last 20 days or so since the Mid-August update, however I have had quite a few temptations and close calls. I've made some purchases which I've deemed necessary and thus not under the umbrella of "impulse tech that Jon doesn't really need but wants". This included some substantially discounted hard drives for my home-fileserver to replace old & dying drives during the august re-configuration, a new docking station to replace the old one that was broken, and a desktop DVD drive that will eventually go into my fiance's new computer. Argue with me if you like (And vote as you feel), but I don't count these against me as they were regular purchases, not impulse buys or new technology.
So I feel the sabbatical is going well, and October 1 it will be nice to have completed it. My bank account has grown without the tech purchases it normally endures, so that's cool as well.
Now on to the HTC Universal. I've heard a lot of clattering in the forums about why this device makes no sense to the US market, mostly focusing on the fact that it does not support Cingular's network. I'm not a Cingular subscriber, and despite their lagging support for faster networks, T-Mobile works fine for me. I've learned over many years as a sys admin that when you're using something that works and there is no substantial need to upgrade, stick with it! T-Mobile might be slow, but it has service where I need it, it supports all the features of the Universal that I need, and when it comes to high-speed, if I'm going to be doing any work needing it, I'll 99% of the time be at a WiFi hotspot. So in my opinion, any T-Mobile user out there wishing to get one shouldn't be deterred. Sorry Cingular folk that they didn't include the bands you need.
However, the sticking price with the Universal, as with every previous HTC phone, is the price. While I do have a pretty high price range (I've been saving for awhile now for this thing), I'm not going over what I've spent in the past for a PPC/PE, which currently sits around $800-$1000 range (I paid a REAL premium to get my I-Mate PPC/PE less than a month after it debuted in Dubai back in 2003). However, with prices as they are now, I'm not going to place my order. Besides, I'm on sabbatical 
And one last note in my update for those of you saying "As soon as he sees that thing in his price range he's going to jump on it, sabbatical or no sabbatical", I must admit to you - you're right. However it's only to make sure I can grab one for my off-date of October 1. I promise to you all that if a HTC Universal box happens to be in my hands before October 1, it shall not be opened until that day - And just you wait till you see the initial reactions post!
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Dr. Jon Westfall, MCSE, MS-MVP
Executive Editor - Android Thoughts
News Editor - Windows Phone Thoughts
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09-09-2005, 01:27 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 218
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I voted undecided. It's that desktop DVD drive that bothers me. I have a zillion PDAs that "eventually" will belong to a nephew or two. Doesn't really work as an excuse.
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09-09-2005, 01:43 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 54
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I don't know, if you had to replace a piece of hardware because things would not turn on, that is justified. Replacing aging equipment with "upgrades" is still impulse and not necessary. The Universal will will make up for any "savings" you may have had in one purchase. Sounds like the average including the Universal would be a wash.
I think we might need to see a spreadsheet!
Mark
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09-09-2005, 01:44 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 359
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I want to say your sounding like a quitting smoker who says "Oh man I just had to have that one more drag." Not saying technology is wrong but isnt a purpose of a sabbatical the chance to go and find enlightenment? I am not sure how much non technology enlightenment you plan to find when you walk out of CompUSA with a few HDD's and a DVD player. Other than that little snippet though I think what your trying is admirable as I don't think I could even slow down my purchasing to your level (but then again I do have to deal with purchases for the entier company).
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09-09-2005, 02:07 PM
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Mystic
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,520
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The DVD player bothers me too.
The HDDs I can probably accept. I don't think having your infrastructure falling down around you was apart of the deal. Assuming that when you said
"dying" you meant actual or imminent failure not just slow or inconvenient.
I think the Universal would absolutely be a breach of the Sabbatical. If it arrived prior to October 1, then that means you aquired it during your sabbatical.
Think of it this way, if you wait to purchase it afterwards there may be potential savings. Or not. But you never know.
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Phone: Nexus one Backup Phone: AT&T Samsung Jack; Future Phone: I'm Watching WP7; Media Player: Platinum Zune HD 32GB; Home Server: HP MediaSmart Server LX195 Console: XBox 360, PS3, Wii |
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09-09-2005, 02:18 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 439
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I don't have a problem! I can quit any time I want! I just don't want to quit right now.
-or-
I can quit any time I want! I've done it thousands of times already!
-or-
I didn't really BUY that gadget... I just HAPPENED to leave my credit card on the counter and the clerk just HAPPENED to swipe it and I just HAPPENED to sign the slip and the gadget just HAPPENED to fall into my bag.
DENIAL is the first sign of addiction. :lol: :roll:
You see, I don't have to deny my addiction... I'm quite happy with it. :wink: And to make things worse... my wife is an enabler!
Robb
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09-09-2005, 02:24 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 450
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You've already violated your sabbatical. First and fore most, the DVD drive that "will eventually" go into my fiance's new computer should have been purchased "eventually". That one was a big No-No. The docking station, IF it was indeed broken, I can accept. The hard drives to replace old hard drives, I don't agree with. Unless they were DEAD and needed replaced, then they should have waited.
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09-09-2005, 02:52 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 459
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Re: Sabbatical update / HTC Universal Defense
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jon Westfall
I promise to you all that if a HTC Universal box happens to be in my hands before October 1, it shall not be opened until that day
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If you could really take delivery of a new HTC Universal, all boxed up, shiny and just crying to be opened and played with and you could still walk away and leave it on your shelf for a couple of days, you're a stronger man than me... and the sabbatical would have been worth it.
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09-09-2005, 03:50 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 718
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I think you did break your sabbatical, but who cares what I or anyone else says. I mean, why bother with a sabbatical in the first place? As long as you can afford it without putting yourself in the poorhouse, why limit yourself? Life is too short to be putting up all these artificial barriers to enjoying life. If gadgets are one of the things that make you happy, go for it. Just my opinion...
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09-09-2005, 04:20 PM
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Executive Editor, Android Thoughts
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,233
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Geesh, the DVD drive, for those of you who are bothered by it, is sitting unopened waiting to be put in a system later this year. I guess that's what I get for being honest about a $15 ebay purchase Thanks for the comments though, this is getting interesting.
__________________
Dr. Jon Westfall, MCSE, MS-MVP
Executive Editor - Android Thoughts
News Editor - Windows Phone Thoughts
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